ASSESSMENT OF DIVERSITY OF INSECTS IN THE TRANSITION AND BUFFER ZONES OF CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study examines the diversity, abundance, and distribution of insect species in the Oban Biosphere Reserve of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. The research aimed to assess insect biodiversity, analyze species richness and dominance, and evaluate habitat influences on insect populations across the core, buffer, and transition zones of the biosphere. Experiment was conducted to determine the different species diversity of insects found in the Oban forest reserve of Cross River National Park in December 2024. Insects were trapped using different trapping methods which included pit falls, sweep net and light traps. The study was carried out from December 2024 to January 2025, insect species were assessed quantitatively across four (4) sampling points; Sampling was done between the hours of 7.00 to 10 am in the morning and 3 pm to 6pm in the evening. Because that is the hours insect are present. The insects were recorded using the standard transect counting method, Lepidoptera recorded the highest species diversity followed closely by Coleoptera and Odonata (Table 3-4). Similarly, Isoptera, Lepidoptera recorded 698% the highest individual population at the various zones. A total of 2939 insect’s species belonging to 11 insect orders were trapped out of which 1486 individuals were obtained from transition and 1453 obtained from buffer (Table 5).The diversity index of the insects in the *different zones of the biosphere shows that Isoptera 2555%, Lepidoptera 6*98% Hymenoptera and Odonata 171% have significantly higher diversity compared with other insect orders in the Biosphere. (Fig 3). On species dominance, insects belonging to the order Isoptera recorded 60% dominance at the buffer zones and 50% dominance at the transition ( Fig 2). which was significantly different from other insect orders. at the buffer zone, hymenoptera recorded 15% dominance while Lepidoptera recorded 10%.(Fig 5).On species richness, Lepidoptera recorded 18% richness in the core and buffer zones and 15% richness for the (Fig 4) This study provides a comprehensive assessment of insect diversity, distribution, and ecological significance within the Oban Biosphere Reserve of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. The research explored the factors influencing insect populations, including climate, vegetation composition, habitat structure, and human activities, it becomes imperative to recommend that management of the Park should discourage logging, deforestation and other illicit activities in the biosphere. They should encourage reforestation especially with flowering plants including trees. Habitat Conservation and Restoration should be made to protect existing forest areas and restore degraded habitats through reforestation. This will enhance food availability for pollinators and maintain ecosystem balance. Word counts 411